Each is charged with 10 counts of confining animals without sufficient food, water or exercise. Each of the charges carries a maximum of a year in jail.

The O'Malley dogs have been kept at the Polk County Animal Control facility in Winter Haven. The Sheriff's Office has estimated that the expense of caring for the dogs is more than $400,000.

The judge will decide later on how much the O'Malleys will have to pay.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the case represents the single largest animal seizure and investigation in his agency's history.

"We'll take the judge's constructive statements in consideration, but we have learned lessons from day one because this investigation overwhelmed animal control," he said.

Investigators erred on the side of caution and didn't want to leave dogs behind, he said. "When you see these outrageously deplorable conditions, your job is to protect all of the dogs," he said.

But the judge said the investigation should have taken hours to complete before a decision could be reached on whether to seize any dogs.

"In this case, no such investigation took place," Kaylor said. "A decision was made after a cursory examination."

Witnesses testified that a veterinarian wasn't asked to travel to the home and inspect the dogs for an opinion on their conditions.

Kaylor said Deputy Michael Burdette, who made the decision to seize the dogs, didn't spend enough time looking over the property and dogs. He also didn't question the O'Malleys about details on how they cared for the dogs.

Burdette testified this week that he thought the O'Malleys wouldn't tell the truth but would try to find answers to appease him.

"He jumped to the conclusion that all of these animals were being abused when perhaps an argument can be made that there were some that were in distress and needed to be rescued," Kaylor said. "I don't agree with that they can say, 'Well, we take one, we take all.' "

The dogs will be turned over to A New Beginning Pet Care & Rescue in Orlando.

Debbie Bruno, a representative with the rescue, said those interested in adopting the O'Malley dogs or donating food and supplies can e-mail her at sbigthumbs@aol.com.

[ Jason Geary can be reached at jason.geary@theledger.com or 863-802-7536. ]